The Liturgical Character of Anglicanism
In our Historic and Classical Anglican tradition
in the Parish of Holy Trinity, worship isn’t
something we invent week by week. It’s a
rich gift we receive — a pattern shaped by Scripture, refined through the Reformation, and designed to form our hearts around the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Our worship is marked by several key features that continue to guide and bless us today:
1. Rooted in Scripture
Anglican liturgy is saturated in the Bible. From the opening greeting to the final blessing, God’s Word leads us, shapes us, and reassures us of His promises. Reading Scripture publicly isn’t optional — it’s central. It ensures our worship is grounded
not in our ideas, but in God’s truth.
2. Centred on the Gospel
Our services follow a gospel rhythm:
God speaks → we respond → Christ is proclaimed.
Confession, absolution, prayers, and praise all flow from the good news that Christ has died, Christ is risen, and Christ will come again. Liturgy reheats this gospel for our hearts every week.
3. Reverent, Accessible, and Understandable
Authentic Anglican liturgy seeks reverence without obscurity. It’s meant to be clear, participatory, and edifying. Everyone should be able to follow, understand, and join in — young and old, new believer and long-time saint. Good liturgy helps us lift our eyes to God without unnecessary clutter or confusion.
4. Prayer Book Shaped
At its best, Anglican worship is recognisably Prayer Book worship. We stand within the legacy of Thomas Cranmer, whose vision was that the whole church would pray together in biblically rich, theologically clear, Christ-centred words. The cadences of the Prayer Book — confession, creeds, Scripture readings, the Lord’s Prayer, and set prayers — remain treasures for us today.
5. Forming Us for Daily Life
Liturgy isn’t just what we do on Sundays; it forms who we are Monday to Saturday. As we hear God’s Word, confess our sins, and receive the grace of the gospel each week, we are shaped into a people who live with humility, joy, and confidence in Christ.
Why This Matters in the Parish of Holy Trinity
We are committed to this authentic Anglican liturgical heritage — not because we love tradition for its own sake, but because it keeps us anchored to Jesus. Our worship aims to be:
This is part of how we live out our call as a church to Know Christ, Grow in Christ, Sharing Christ (Our Mission) and to grow as a church that is Rooted in Scripture, Rich in worship and Reaching our community with the hope we have in Jesus.
In the Parish of Holy Trinity (St Matthias' Windermere, St Andrew's Evandale, St James' Youngtown/ Franklin Village and Holy Trinity, Launceston CBD), we are also committed to our Diocesan Vision of being a church “for Tasmania, making disciples of Jesus.”
May our liturgy continue to nourish us, unite us, and lead us deeper into the grace of Christ.